Our Ariel's experience

[hlbtimes2]

Yes, that was us, in the matching shirts. The rush when my husband came in was not really a rush, but confusion. They were calling "Baker" when he walked in. It was not us, it was a different Baker party. Our seating was for 11:40, and it was about 11:30 when he got there. Me and dd and stopped by the bathroom on the way.

By the time we got to the bottom of the steps to meet Ariel there was a line going up the stairs. About 3 parties waiting behind us. We took one photo, they took 3 - all of which our ds eyes were closed. When we tried to get a photo alone we were told, by a rather snippy cm that there wasnt time.

I'm guessing you either have an ap discount or a AAA discount? That would explain the price difference. Ours was $74 and some change, plus the tip they added on.

We were never offered the special of the day. We were just given menus. I did see people eating the roast chicken and couldnt figure out what they had ordered. Did you special request the dessert for your child? Mine were not offered cake. Just the yogurt or apples.

 

[brenda1966]

EEeek! They've changed the menu? No more Salmon BLT?

I have to rethink doing this lunch! I do think it is a great way to get to see many princesses without standing in long lines. Sometimes the characters are great (and I must say all the princesses we've ever seen here were) and sometimes they are not (The Alice we saw in WDW was SO unfriendly).

I'm not sure why they feel the need to sell photos. As if we aren't paying enough for lunch. I hope no one buys any and they stop this pronto.

One of the breakfasts at WDW is set up this way: you see Mary Poppings outside, greeting you, and then you see Alice, Pooh, etc. at your tables. But they didn't come around with over priced pics.

 

[claribella]

I was just there in January and 5 princesses went to each table for photos and signing. This isn't happening anymore? That is VERY upsetting.

 

[XTinabell]

I'm sorry to hear about some of the bad experiences at Ariels. Back in November everyone told me to eat there but I wasn't sure if I wanted the character interaction so we didn't make ressies but one night we were hungry and in the area so we thought we'd stop in to see if we could eat there. The cm's were soooo rude! As soon as we walked in the lady behind the podium/desk thing looked at us and walked away without saying a word.

Dh and I just looked at eachother not really sure what to do, the lobby was empty so we just sort of walked around a little bit. Anyways probably five minutes later a different cm comes in and looks at us but ignores us so I say excuse me, can we get seated? She then says really snottily "We're closed!" and then walks away and leaves the lobby. Again dh and I just stand there and are like...okay I guess they're closed and apparently had a bad day.

After that experience and hearing about other's experiences I don't think we'll ever eat there. Which is too bad because their food looked kinda good.

 

[drcorey]

Wierd, why would a mermaid host a FISH restaurant?
didn't anyone ever ask disney this?
Hi, I am from the sea, come and meet and eat all my delishous friends!

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

that is awfull, I just made ressie's for June to eat dinner there, we too are going mainly to see Ariel, it is alot money to, I am mainly doing it so we don't have to wait hours in line at the PFF, maybe we will skip it and meet Ariel in her clamshell in TL she is still there I hope Oh how I wish they were still hanging around the castle

I too wish the princesses were still hanging around the castle. It was so much easier to find and meet the princess of your choice. I truly hate the new setup in Fantasy Fair. The line to meet the princesses is too long for my dd and I to wait in. The conterpart to this in WDW goes much faster.

As for the new set up at Ariels - we will not be eating there anymore. I thought it was expensive to begin with but at least you could see the princesses without having to wait several hours like at fantasy fair at it was never rushed. But now- I guess even though we have APs to DL the only place dd will get to meet the princesses is at WDW!

 

[hlbtimes2]

I was just there in January and 5 princesses went to each table for photos and signing. This isn't happening anymore? That is VERY upsetting.

Most of the princesses still go table to table. Ariel is the only one that doesnt make the rounds any more. But, for us that was the deal breaker. She is the real reason we went. We didnt go to see the rest of them. We went to Ariels lunch to see Ariel. What we got was a rushed picture with her.

 

[DisneyCrocsRUS]

Wierd, why would a mermaid host a FISH restaurant?
didn't anyone ever ask disney this?
Hi, I am from the sea, come and meet and eat all my delishous friends!

Sorry to hijack this thread with roaring laughter, but this comment just cracked me up

OP - I'm so sorry that your experience there was not what you hoped for. I hope your kids will at least have a memory of what was fun & take that to heart and store away the good part of that experience.

 

[rockstargeisha]

Wow, I'm so surprised to hear that Ariel was only seated at the entrance. I've only ever seen her in her gown there. The food has been mediocre both times I've eaten there but I always found the character interaction has made up for it. Then again we've always eaten there at an off time (3-4pmish) so the characters took more time with our table. I always giggle remembering how Ariel sprinkled salt into my water and said "Much better!!"

I hope the folks over at California Adventure/Disneyland can get their act together for this restaurant. I keep hearing about negative experiences.

 

[#1minnie]

maybe this sounds silly, but was Ariel in her fins or a gown? I suppose being in her fins would have limited to her to only the entry and not roaming table to table.

My worst Princess meal experience was at Norway in Epcot at WDW for lunch. We ate there only because we couldn't get into the Castle. I have to say, YUCK!

It's funny. Even my dd 7, who has been going to WDW since she was 3, isn't interested in the Princesses any more. She much more prefers the other characters in costume. The Princesses always seems "stuffy" to us. We've even done the Disney Cruise. Actually on the Cruise, it was fun to see some of the Villains we've never seen before in the park.

The Princesses always just have this plastered on fake smile, no real interaction, they whip around and sign their autograph and then do their silly pose with arm outstretched in front of them and the child. Then poof!...away to the next table. Now my daughter just laughs and asks her Daddy to do the "princess pose"!

We love seeing Mickey and Goofy though! This was at WDW for Christmas, but we went to the Ohana Breakfast Christmas Morning and dd was chosen by Mickey himself to lead the parade around the dining room! She was so excited. I've always felt the other characters are so much fun and interact with the kids so much more than the princesses ever have.

Sorry your dd's special time with Ariel was not up to par.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Well I guess if that's the new set up we won't be going there again. It's a shame because overall we had a good time there.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We are planning to eat at Ariels. We've done the Norway meal and Cinderella's Castle meal at WDW several times. I agree with the poster who said the Norway meal was disgusting. We only eat breakfast there now.

But being a character meal veteran, the new setup at Ariels in not a surprise. At WDW they have been doing this for years. I remember going to an Aladdin breakfast in 1994 where you had a photo op available for purchase with Aladdin and Jasmine, they did not come to your table. Many of the WDW restaurants have the same set up: Cinderella's Royal Table has Fairy Godmother in the Lobby, Chef Mickey's has Goofy or Donald in the lobby, 1900 Park Fair has Mary Poppins in the Lobby. I think this is done so that your kids get "instant gratification", they get to meet a character instantly and don't have to wait, it kind of starts the experience off with a bang. I like it, esp since it is Ariel, DD's fav., that way I don't have to spend my meal listening to her ask repeatedly "When is Ariel going to come?". I do think that the pics should be able to be put on photopass. Sometimes I buy the picture if it turns out well and some times I do not, hopefully my pics will look good.

 

[hrhlaurie]

Since my granddaughter is almost 4 any princesses she meets on her first trip to Disneyland will be a treat. She wants to dress up like Ariel so I'm going to buy her a costume and on our second day there I'll give it to her to wear that day for her lunch.

I don't care if the food isn't great, this lunch is just to hang out and let her enjoy the interaction. Since I'll be snapping photos I don't think we'll have her order the spaghetti though - maybe mac and cheese. If she doesn't get cake then I'll give her some of mine so not a big deal.

Thanks for all of the advance warning - if CM's are rude, I'll report them and we'll manage the other stuff. After all, we're going to Disneyland and it's so dang exciting!

 

[hlbtimes2]

maybe this sounds silly, but was Ariel in her fins or a gown? I suppose being in her fins would have limited to her to only the entry and not roaming table to table.

She was in a gown.

 

[2grlsmom]

OH NO! We're going in less than 2 weeks and my DD (4) can't stop talking about having dinner with the princesses. Any advice on how I could make this not turn into a disappointment for my princessed crazed DD? Thanks!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

OH NO! We're going in less than 2 weeks and my DD (4) can't stop talking about having dinner with the princesses. Any advice on how I could make this not turn into a disappointment for my princessed crazed DD? Thanks!

I don't think you'll be disappointed because now you know what to expect. Expect to see Ariel at the entrance only, and take pictures there if you can. Sounds like this will be your only chance to see her.

I think in Linda's case there was some confusion about them being another family (who was late, when in fact they were early for their PS.) And also might have been time for Ariel to take a break, which may explain the rush job and snippy attitude, though does not excuse it in my book.

Other princesses will come around to your table as you dine.

I don't think you'll be disappointed, and hopefully your experience will be nicer than Linda's.

 

[2grlsmom]

Thanks so much for the positive reply. I have heard really great things about the princess meal, and since we're doing it on our first day, I figure if it doesn't turn out to be all we had hoped for, and more, we can always plan to spend extra time at the FF if needed, not that we wouldn't go there anyway, but I figured the dinner might be the best place for the princessed crazed DD to start! Thanks!
*I am assuming you would agree that DD(4) and little sis(almost 2) should certainly wear their finest princess attire? Im trying to deicde if I should pick the dresses for them, as I only plan to pack 1, or let her chose her favorite (my only worry is she'll pick the one dress I can't stand!)
Anyways, thanks for the info. Hopefully I can write back with a good experience!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Originally Posted by drcorey View Post
Wierd, why would a mermaid host a FISH restaurant?
didn't anyone ever ask disney this?

Assuming Ariel isn't a vegan, I would expect her to eat fish. It's not like there are any Mickey D's under the sea. Oh wait. They serve Hamburgers too.
I think I'll put my kid up to asking Ariel those questions.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Assuming Ariel isn't a vegan, I would expect her to eat fish. It's not like there are any Mickey D's under the sea. Oh wait. They serve Hamburgers too.
I think I'll put my kid up to asking Ariel those questions.

Please post the CM's reaction and reply. I can't wait to hear it!

 

[brenda1966]

2grlsmom -- I would pack several princess dresses if they are comfortable and your girls enjoy wearing them. My DD will now only wear princess dresses to any of the Disney parks. Once she did it once, she just can't stop now. LOL.